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Latest Exercise Trend: Ramping

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 11:45:00 -0700

I am always looking for a way to do something new, fitness wise. At one point, step aerobics was the latest thing, but that time has since come and gone. You'll still find step classes in almost every gym, but they are not nearly as popular as they once were.

Enter Ramping. I know it sounds a little odd but ramping is very similar to step aerobics (in fact it was created by the very same person that created step aerobics) but it is requires a lot less impact on your joints because instead of stepping up onto a flat step or bench, you lunge on and off an adjustable-incline ramp (half-moon looking contraption pictured above) specifically designed for ramping. Ramping is great for really working your butt and hamstrings. Great for getting those legs short shorts ready this summer. Check out the ramping site online for more information as well as to find a class near you.

Yoga for Your Face...Seriously

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I showed you all that Naked Yoga does really exist, and now I bring you a new trend - Yoga for the Face. It goes by many names: Revita-Yoga (NYC), Happy Face yoga facial toning (Atlanta), and the Yoga Face Lift (Northern CA).

Muscle tension in the face contributes to lines and wrinkles while sagging jowls are caused by weak muscles. Face toning regimens have appeared for years in ladies magazines, and now that yoga is really taking off this is the latest trend to ride its coat tails.

Here are some of the exercises:

Crow's Feet: Open the eyes wide, as if startled or scared to decrease unwanted lines around the eyes.
Wide Nose: Alternate nostril breathing to create a more narrow and symmetrical nose.
Plumper Lips: Tap lips 5 times with your index finger.

While I agree we all hold unnoticed tension in our faces and relaxing the face can help decrease tension that causes headaches and neck pain, I am not sure that this is the panacea for an aging face. Let's face it (sorry for the pun) aging happens. Making a more flexible face seems like a better alternative to paralyzing it with Botox and way less of an invasion than plastic surgery. Yet, I don't think yoga for the face will be keeping anyone looking younger. I do think it will definitely make folks feel younger since making all those faces will certainly make you feel goofy and childlike. So go ahead, stick out your tongue then pucker your lips. Chances are you will end up smiling like my 2 year old after she blows a raspberry.

Want to see some more "poses"? Then read more

View 3 Photos ›

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And the 2009 Health and Fitness Trends Are . . .

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Every year the American College of Sports Medicine surveys over a thousand sports medicine professionals about the fitness trends for the upcoming year. It seems that the predicted trends for 2009 are pretty similar to those we saw for 2008 - a mixture of generalized trends and exercise specifics.

Here are the top 10 health and fitness trends for 2009:

Educated and experienced fitness professionals. Certification and accreditation for health and fitness programs and professionals are becoming more common.
Children and obesity. Fitness programs to address childhood obesity are a top trend for the third year in a row in the ACSM survey.
Personal training. Personal trainers are becoming more accessible to more people, according to the survey.
Strength training. Men and women are lifting weights; staying strong while aging is increasingly part of their motivation.
Core training. This trend is about strengthening muscles in the abdomen and back to stabilize the spine.

To see the other hot trends read more.

Special fitness programs for older adults. This trend includes aging baby boomers, frail elders who want to get stronger for daily tasks, active older adults, and master athletes.
Pilates. Done on a mat or special equipment, Pilates trains the core muscles and improves flexibility and posture.
Stability ball. These big, inflatable balls (also called Swiss balls or exercise balls) are used for crunches, push-ups, and other exercises. Staying stable on the ball is part of the challenge.
Sport-specific training. This trend is about athletes training in the off-season to build their strength and endurance.
Balance training. In balance training, you might stand on a wobble board or use a stability ball to hone your balance. It's a trend for all ages.

Pilates has been popular for a long time now and I am not sure I would call it a trend, but rather a staple of the fitness industry. But I, for one, would love to take a group fitness class centered around the balance board. What about you?

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New Fitness Trend: Hula Dancing

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Reports of a new fitness trend sweeping Japan has its roots in Hawaiian culture. Nope, I'm not talking about surfing. I'm talking about hula dancing.

About 50 women mostly in their 30s to 60s go to Tipness' fitness club in Japan each Friday for a 75-minute hula lesson, which includes basic movements and a drill on dancing postures, all set to Hawaiian music. The class focuses on achieving symmetry in the body by using both your lower and upper body to do the dancing.

In fact, the last time I was in Hawaii, I did take note of how amazing all the hula dancers bodies were. If hula lessons were offered at my gym, I might be interested, especially if I get to wear a cute grass skirt and coconut bra. What about you? Would you be on board for some hula lessons for fitness?

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And the 2008 Health and Fitness Trends Are . . .

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:30:00 -0800

It seems that the predicted fitness trends for 2008 are pretty similar to those we saw in 2007, though this year we're seeing more of a focus on the specifics, rather than large generalizations.

Here are the top ten health and fitness trends for 2008:

Educated and experienced fitness professionals. More organizations are seeking accreditation for academic and certification programs for fitness professionals, including personal trainers, which will contribute to industry regulation.
Programs to fight childhood obesity. The high ranking of this trend matches the country's concern about childhood obesity and health. An influx of fitness programs designed specifically for children and adolescents is expected to help combat this problem.
Personal training. This trend moved up four spots from last year's survey, signaling that the profession of personal training is becoming more realistic and accessible to the public.
Strength training. The number four trend for 2008 supports ACSM and the American Heart Association's updated physical-activity guidelines, released earlier this year, which state that eight to ten strength-training exercises should be done at least twice per week.

To see the others read more

Core training. Emphasis on core training is expected to continue. Core training strengthens muscles surrounding the spine, such as the pelvis and abdominal muscles.
Special fitness programs for older adults. The fitness industry is expected to capitalize on the fastest-growing segment of the population: older adults reaching retirement age.
Pilates. In last year's survey, Pilates and yoga were grouped together as mind/body fitness, but both made this year's top ten trends as separate entities.
Functional fitness. Functional fitness focuses on training that aids in everyday activity, like reaching for items on a top shelf or increasing ability to perform a certain work task.
Swiss ball. A surprise in the list is the appearance of the Swiss ball, a round object constructed of rubber with a variable diameter.
Yoga. Finishing the top ten predicted trends list for 2008 is yoga, which has grown to include many different forms, such as power yoga or yoga designed to be performed in hot and humid climates.

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And the 2007 Health and Fitness Trends Are . . .

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 03:30:00 -0800

A survey taken by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has revealed the trends in commercial, corporate, clinical, and community fitness program environments. So if you're one of those who wants to be ahead of the trends (fitness and otherwise) here they are:

Children and Obesity. Program development to reduce obesity among children was the number-one trend identified in the survey.
Special Fitness Programs for Older Adults. Fitness clubs and retirement communities stand to benefit from health and fitness programs that cater to the older adult.
Educated and Experienced Fitness Professionals. Fully accredited education and certification programs for health/fitness professionals are on the rise.
Functional Fitness. Functional fitness training, using strength training to improve performance for activities of daily living, will become more prominent in 2007.
Core Training. Core exercises are on the rise, which strengthen, condition, and stabilize the abdominal and back muscles, often use props such as stability balls, BOSU balance balls, wobble boards, and foam rollers to provide support for the spine.

For the rest, read more

Strength Training. The health benefits of incorporating strength training into a fitness regimen will receive continued emphasis.
Personal Training. Personal trainers will continue to gain recognition and credibility among other health care professionals for higher professional standards and accreditation.
Mind/Body Exercise. Variations of yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and other mind/body exercises will be introduced and remain popular next year.
Exercise and Weight Loss. Most diet programs already incorporate some exercise/physical activity recommendations, but professionals expect more visibility to be placed on energy balance in the weight-loss equation.
Outcome Measurements. Defining and tracking outcomes of a fitness program will have a higher profile in the future -- advances in technology will help determine success in disease management or changes in negative lifestyle behaviors.

For the other 10, visit the full article.

New Trend in Fitness: Video Games and Cardio

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Remember the Nintendo Powerpad? Well if it was a favorite in your past, then you're probably going to be excited about this news.

New fitness companies are playing on the old gamers in us all. Using the latest in virtual reality technology, Expresso Fitness is creating cardio bikes that motivate you with an interactive training environment and give you the feedback to keep improving. In other words: These interactive exercise bikes give you the feeling that you're zooming through tunnels or chasing dragons.

Pretty cool minus the fact that video games now make me motion sick...

Which of These 2009 Trends Will You Most Likely Try?

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:30:00 -0800

There's no way to predict the future, but groups dedicated to health and fitness are determined to get a peek into the New Year. Their research suggests various forms of exercise will be hot in 2009, and while the American College of Sports Medicine surveyed sports medicine professionals to come up with its health and fitness trend predictions, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) surveyed personal trainers, group fitness professionals, and lifestyle and weight management consultants to generate its trendy list.

ACE Chief Science Officer Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, summarized, "The overarching theme for fitness in 2009 is getting more bang for the buck." Boot-camp-style programs are predicted to be the number one fitness trend for the New Year. Most boot camps I've come across aren't exactly inexpensive, but their emphasis on a total body workout may allow you to save on monthly gym membership dues. On the opposite end of the workout spectrum are the technology-meets-fitness hybrids using iPods and video games to keep people engaged while working out. It seems the Wii phenomenon just keeps growing.

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Are Skinny Jeans Bad For Body Image?

FitSugar — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:30:00 -0700

When I head to work I'm all about comfort, so the fashion police would probably give me a ticket for my lack of trendiness. But when the weekend rolls around, I definitely like to dress up if I'm going out, especially because my girls love it when I put on heels and lipstick.

Skinny jeans and leggings are some of the biggest trends I see when I'm out, and being the health-minded person that I am, I'm wondering how you ladies feel about this fad (which doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon). Are these skin-tight pants encouraging women to feel bad about their figures, or do you think they're a great tool to motivate women to meet their fitness goals?

Functional Fitness: More than a Trend

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 10:15:00 -0700

You work all day. You go to the gym for 60 minutes. You go home and continue your life. Do you ever feel like the work you do at the gym has nothing to do with the life you lead? Well let me tell you, workouts - they are a changing.

Functional fitness has been identified as the biggest fitness trend of the year. But by the looks of it, it is anything but "trendy." More and more personal trainers are creating work outs to help their clients with the tasks of daily life, as well as the physicality of their jobs.
For example take a new mom, a functional workout would have her lift a weight through a movement path that mimics hoisting a heavy stroller into her trunk. This motion trains her entire body to handle the stroller, where bicep curls would just, well...work her biceps. Or another example would be an avid skier training with one legged squats instead of leg pressing a lot of weight at a machine. The standing one legged squat will challenge the skiers leg strength, balance and core in a functional position - yep, that'd be standing.

A great comparison is the bent over row using free weight versus the seated row using weight machines. The bent over row has you lifting while bent over - how many time a day do you lift things bent over? From teaching rehabilitative Pilates for years, I can tell you just bending over correctly is an art unto itself. Add some free weights into the mix and you are training your entire body (legs, core, back and arms) for real tasks. The seated row using a machine will just isolate specific muscle groups without integrating them into real movement.

I like to think of a workout, or a Pilates session for that matter, as time in a body laboratory where you can train your body in a controlled environment to have good movement patterns while strengthening your muscles. So when you are out in the world and something unexpected happens, your body knows how to deal with it.

Fit's Tip: If you are shopping for a trainer ask if they work on functional fitness and go to them with certain daily tasks that you would like to make easier. Be it lifting the hood of your car or running with your two year old thrown over your shoulder, a good personal trainer will help these tasks become easier.